SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors took control of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night, earning a 104-93 Game 3 win over the Houston Rockets. While Stephen Curry dazzled with another MVP-caliber performance, the absence of injured star Jimmy Butler didn’t go unnoticed—though he still made his presence felt from the bench in style.
Jimmy Butler Misses Game 3 But Brings Leadership—and Fashion—to the Bench
Butler was ruled out of Game 3 after suffering a hard fall in Game 2 that resulted in a pelvis injury and deep gluteal muscle contusion. Although sidelined, the Warriors forward was anything but passive. Wearing a full-length fur coat that quickly became the talk of Chase Center, Butler was a commanding presence on the sidelines.
“First off, he had a fantastic coat on,” coach Steve Kerr said with a smile. “I thought he’d be way too hot in that thing.”
Butler’s value, however, extended far beyond his outfit. Known for his high basketball IQ, he remained engaged, constantly offering direction and motivation to teammates throughout the game.
“Jimmy is so smart,” Kerr continued. “He reminds me so much of Andre Iguodala. His ability to observe the game, communicate clearly, and inspire his teammates—even when he’s not playing—is a huge asset.”
Curry echoed that sentiment, even joking about Butler’s warmth. “I almost didn’t need a hot pack on the sideline sitting next to him,” he laughed. “His presence, his energy, his voice—they all matter. And they matched the outfit, for sure.”
Stephen Curry Steps Up with a Dominant Performance
With Butler unavailable, the Warriors needed someone to step up—and as he has done so many times before, Stephen Curry answered the call. The two-time MVP finished with 36 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in nearly 41 minutes of action. He hit five 3-pointers and was the engine behind Golden State’s offensive rhythm all night.
Curry attacked the basket with purpose, made plays off the dribble, and energized the home crowd with clutch shots in key moments. His ability to carry the scoring load was critical in keeping the Rockets at bay.
“I just wanted to make sure we didn’t skip a beat,” Curry said. “With Jimmy out, I knew I had to bring a little more. But having him on the bench, talking to us, hyping us—it meant a lot.”
Gary Payton II, Kuminga Provide Crucial Support
Golden State’s supporting cast also rose to the occasion. Gary Payton II delivered a spark in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 16 points during the final frame to help put the game out of reach. His relentless defense and timely buckets made a significant difference.
“We had to have Jimmy’s back while he was out,” Payton said postgame. “He’s our leader, and we wanted to hold it down for him.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga—who hadn’t played in the previous three games—stepped into the starting lineup in Butler’s absence. He made his fourth career playoff start and brought energy on both ends of the court, proving once again how valuable Golden State’s depth can be.
Recapping Butler’s Injury: A Nasty Fall in Game 2
Butler’s injury occurred late in the first quarter of Game 2, when he attempted to secure a rebound and was undercut by Houston’s Amen Thompson. The contact sent Butler soaring before crashing hard onto his tailbone. He remained down in visible pain before briefly returning to shoot two free throws, then exited for the locker room and did not return.
The team later confirmed that Butler underwent an MRI in the Bay Area on Thursday, which revealed a deep gluteal contusion and pelvis soreness.
Kerr: “Day-to-Day” Status for Game 4
With the series now tilting in the Warriors’ favor, all eyes are on Butler’s potential return for Game 4. Coach Kerr emphasized that Butler remains day-to-day and that the team will use Sunday as a recovery window.
“We’ve got tomorrow off, and it’s a night game Monday,” Kerr said. “So he gets a few more hours. We’ll just have to see. Right now, I really have no idea if he’ll be available.”
Despite not playing, Butler’s leadership and influence have already proven vital to the Warriors’ postseason run. Since his debut with Golden State on February 8, the team has posted a 26-9 record, including regular-season games, a play-in win over Memphis, and the three playoff contests against Houston.
Rockets Still Respect the Warriors' Firepower
The Rockets, now trailing in the series, know that Golden State’s threat goes beyond any one player.
“We still respect them with or without Butler,” said Houston coach Ime Udoka. “Curry was phenomenal, but we didn’t do enough defensively. Especially in the paint—we didn’t make them pay for his absence.”
How to Watch Game 4: Warriors vs. Rockets
The Warriors will look to extend their lead in Game 4, scheduled for Monday night at Chase Center.
Whether Butler returns or not, the Warriors will aim to maintain momentum and edge closer to advancing in the postseason.
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